HRNSW reveal rising stars for Nick Dewar memorial series

The future of the sport will once again be on show in the Nick Dewar Memorial Rising Stars series in the week leading up to Breeders’ Challenge day on July 1.

Harness Racing NSW announced 10 drivers, led by last year’s winner Ellen Rixon, to complete in the series, which will have heats in Young, Bathurst, Bankstown and Newcastle at the end of the month before closing with a final heat at Menangle.

Defending champion: Ellen Rixon returns for the Rising Series series.

Photo: Supplied

The series has been named in honour of Nick Dewar, who died in a car accident earlier this year. The group travel around the state for the week, also learning skills that will help them with owners and the media.

“The week of activities outside of the race diving will be educational and entertaining for the drivers,” Harness Racing NSW chief executive John Dumesny said. “A significant component, however, is the opportunity for these rising stars to bond in the series in a sport in which they have a demonstrated passion.

“Also this is a truly special year as the harness racing fraternity respects and pays tribute to Nick Dewar, a young man tragically gone who had an absolute passion for our sport perhaps unequalled.”

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Meanwhile, champion pacer Lennytheshark was given the ultimate accolade by driver Chris Alford after his retirement was announced this week.

Alford drove Lennytheshark to wins in the Inter Dominion Final, Miracle Mile and two Victoria Cups.

The best: Lennytheshark (on the outside) wins his Miracle Mile.

Photo: supplied

“He’s the best. He stands alone now,” Alford said. “I’d always had him right up there with Golden Reign, but Lenny is the best because he came back year after year and did it at the top level. Golden Reign was cut down in his prime.

“Look at that Miracle Mile. It’s up with the greatest wins I’ve been part of. He had Lazarus camped on his back and still held him off to win one of the world’s great sprint races.

“I remember that race so clearly. Looking around and thinking to myself ‘uh oh, Lazarus is right on my back, how the heck can I beat him now.’ But Lenny found a way, it was incredible how deep he dug that night.”